They have a wingspan of about two inches and hover at flowers just like the bird from which they take their name, using their proboscis (a straw-like tongue) to delve into the nectar. They're particularly fond of valerian, viper's-bugloss and buddleia but you might find them on lavender, phlox, jasmine, honeysuckle or similar flowers. They’ve been shown to learn and memorise colours and locations so they’ll often return to the same patch of flowers at the same time of day. In flight, they're unmistakeable with their grey-brown bodies and wings that are brightened by orange underwings and tail of black and white. At rest, they transform into 'just' a grey moth, albeit one of some size.

You might not have been lucky enough to spot one at home but if you holiday in the Mediterranean, you may be familiar with them. As we head south for the sun, however, thousands of them head north; what a remarkable journey for something as small and delicate as a moth. There is evidence that many migrate south again come autumn but some are starting to overwinter and each year we're getting a few more records of them being seen in Worcestershire gardens in spring; something that could only happen if they're spending the winter here.